"Mother, we've been walking all morning. Let's find a place to rest before continuing," Li Xuan panted, wiping the sweat from his face with his sleeve. The sun was relentless, making him feel as if he were being roasted alive.
Li Xuan's voice pulled Chu Qingyi's thoughts back from the distance. She glanced at him, noting his exhausted state—his chest soaked with sweat, beads rolling down his forehead, his whole body seeming on the verge of melting. He even stuck out his tongue like a panting dog to cool down.
Unconsciously, they had walked the entire morning. It was now midday, the sun at its fiercest. The ground seemed to shimmer with waves of heat, and even the grass by the roadside drooped listlessly, as if wilting under the oppressive glare.
She scanned their surroundings—a wide, open area where the harsh sunlight beat down mercilessly. Chu Qingyi, whose cultivation aligned with Yin energy, was unaffected by the heat, but Li Xuan, being a mere mortal, would likely collapse if they continued for much longer.
"Let's head for the shade."
With that, Chu Qingyi started toward a large rock about two to three hundred meters away, where the sun couldn't reach directly, offering a patch of shade just large enough for both of them to rest.
Li Xuan, tired as a lapdog, spotted the rock as well and grew instantly excited, as if a long-lost child had finally found its mother. His fatigue seemed to vanish, and he hurried after Chu Qingyi toward the shelter.
"Whew! That nearly killed me..." Li Xuan plopped down in the shade, leaning against the cool surface of the rock. The refreshing chill seeped through him, banishing the earlier sweltering heat entirely.
"If you can't handle it, you can turn back," Chu Qingyi said indifferently.
"I can handle it, I can handle it! Should we set off now, Mother?" Li Xuan suddenly felt her words were colder than the rock itself. He scrambled to his feet, ready to continue their journey.
It had taken immense effort to follow her this far, and he had been ecstatic throughout the trip—just seeing her figure filled him with joy. The thought of being sent back now was utterly unacceptable.
"No need. Replenish your strength first." Chu Qingyi watched his nervous demeanor and, though she maintained a calm facade, couldn't help feeling somewhat amused inside.
Only after repeatedly confirming that she wouldn't send him away did Li Xuan cautiously sit back down, pulling out some dried rations from his pack to munch on.
As the two rested, the previously clear sky suddenly rumbled with distant thunder. The white clouds turned ashen, as if stained with ink, and the blazing sun was gradually obscured by rolling layers of dark clouds. It seemed a downpour was brewing.
The air grew increasingly stifling, and even the breeze carried an irritating warmth.
"Looks like a heavy storm is coming, Mother. We need to find shelter before it hits, or we'll be drenched like drowned rats," Li Xuan frowned, gazing up at the ominous sky. The weather truly changed in the blink of an eye.
"Hmm." Chu Qingyi gently brushed her small hand over the bundles Li Xuan had brought, silently reciting an incantation to activate her spatial storage ring. In one swift motion, she stuffed all the cumbersome items inside.
It wasn't that she worried Li Xuan couldn't handle the load, but rather that carrying these things would only slow him down during their journey.
Witnessing this, Li Xuan grew anxious, fearing the food he had painstakingly gathered might vanish. He opened his mouth to ask, but seeing Chu Qingyi's indifferent expression, he knew any inquiry would only invite disdain. Silently, he followed behind her as they pressed on.
Rumbles of thunder echoed one after another, while distant lightning silently split the sky. Heavy dark clouds loomed over the land, casting an unusually gloomy shadow across the heavens.
Both unconsciously quickened their pace.
"Mother, there's a dilapidated temple over there!" Li Xuan suddenly shouted.
Chu Qingyi followed his gaze and spotted several rundown structures not far away. Judging by their architectural style, it appeared to be an abandoned temple long left to decay—a place where they could likely take shelter for the night and wait out the impending storm.
With a destination in mind, the two hurried toward the temple.
But when they were just a few hundred meters away, a deafening clap of thunder seemed to tear through the sky. Moments later, the downpour arrived as expected. Large raindrops pelted them mercilessly, soaking their clothes completely.
"There's no time! Run, Mother!" Li Xuan wiped the rain from his face and yelled at Chu Qingyi beside him.
Boom!
Another thunderclap roared, and the rain intensified. Bean-sized drops hammered down on the already drenched mother and son. A gust of cold wind howled toward them, causing Chu Qingyi's delicate frame to shiver as chill seeped into every part of her body.
"Run, Mother!" Li Xuan's vision was blurred by sheets of rain, as if his face itself were weeping. Continuous streams of water rolled down his cheeks, his hair plastered flat against his forehead. His coarse linen clothes clung tightly to his drenched body.
Hearing Li Xuan's urgent cry, Chu Qingyi broke into a run, her long, slender legs carrying her swiftly toward the temple.
Her form-fitting outfit was now completely soaked, clinging even more closely to her delicate frame and accentuating her curves. Her well-proportioned, rounded legs were particularly noticeable, the wet trousers hugging her flesh tightly, faintly revealing the fair skin beneath.
After what felt like an eternity, the two finally reached their destination, panting heavily.
They turned in unison to observe the weather outside the temple—a terrifying gloom. It was the hour of You in midsummer; the sky should have been bright. Yet, the sudden storm had dyed the heavens ink-black. Thick, oppressive clouds stretched endlessly, blocking out the light and casting a cold, night-like darkness over the world.
The torrential rain showed no sign of letting up, still drumming fiercely against the ground. There was no telling how long it would last.
Just then, a brilliant flash of lightning pierced the sky, illuminating the interior of the dilapidated temple with stark clarity.
A rather intimidating statue of Buddha loomed over the two uninvited guests inside the temple, its presence seemingly ancient. The gold lacquer on its surface had long since peeled away, revealing the mottled stone beneath.
The surroundings were pitch black, with scattered weeds strewn haphazardly across the temple floor, along with a few unburned firewood logs. It appeared this place had once provided temporary shelter for many.
"We'll make do here for the night," Chu Qingyi said, surveying the dilapidated temple. Though it was old and desolate, at least the roof was intact, with no leaks. Otherwise, they would truly experience the misery of a leaking roof on a rainy night.
After a long moment without a response, Chu Qingyi grew puzzled and glanced at Li Xuan beside her.
Li Xuan, drenched from head to toe, looked utterly disheveled. His already loose, coarse linen robe clung tightly to his body, revealing his slender frame in stark detail. Yet, in stark contrast, the area between his legs bulged prominently, its size comparable to a grown man's fist—a testament to the astonishing scale of what lay beneath.
As for his expression, he was leering shamelessly at Chu Qingyi's delicate figure, the heat in his eyes completely undisguised.
Following his gaze, Chu Qingyi's clothes were thoroughly soaked, her alluring and perfect physique exuding irresistible temptation beneath the wet fabric. With each breath, her full, heaving bosom surged like waves, the deep cleavage faintly visible. Two snowy peaks stood proudly like mountain peaks, their rosy tips barely concealed, poised to burst forth from the deep valley between them. Droplets of water trickled down the crevice.
Her slender waist, so delicate it seemed one could encircle it with a single hand, and her round, perky buttocks—every part of her radiated an intoxicating, carnal allure. Even the mysterious triangular region was faintly outlined, becoming strikingly apparent. Between her plump mounds, a dense thicket of curly pubic hair grew, with a few rebellious strands defiantly pointing in different directions. Beneath the thicket, a warm cavern awaited exploration and invasion…
Li Xuan stared obsessively at the space between her legs, utterly unwilling to look away. Under such a tantalizing stimulus, his manhood had long grown unbearably hard, rigid as an iron rod.
Noticing his lecherous gaze fixed intently on her private area, Chu Qingyi felt both shame and fury, wishing she could slap this shameless youth away on the spot.
But that was merely a fleeting thought born of anger. For now, she could only hurriedly turn away, evading Li Xuan's brazen stare.
The glimpse of spring scenery vanished with her turn, leaving Li Xuan unsatisfied and yearning. His eyes filled with longing, as if he wished he could sprout a pair of X-ray vision to see every inch of her clearly.
His greedy gaze continued to roam over her delicate form. It had to be said—heaven had been excessively generous to Chu Qingyi. Not only had it bestowed upon her a breathtakingly beautiful face, but her figure was also first-class perfection. Every part of her was just right—neither too plump nor too slender—like an exquisitely crafted work of art, a masterpiece unparalleled in the world.
Although she had her back to Li Xuan, her delicate and perky buttocks were perfectly rounded under the soaked clothing, and the intoxicating crevice between the two pale mounds was faintly visible. This hazy, half-revealed temptation made Li Xuan's eyes nearly pop out of his head, igniting a burning desire within him and leaving his mouth parched.
The scorching intensity of his gaze made Chu Qingyi deeply uncomfortable. She hurried behind the statue of the Buddha to calm her racing heart, then summoned her immortal arts to evaporate the moisture from her drenched clothes.
By the time she had composed herself and stepped out, Li Xuan was sitting shirtless in the center of the dilapidated temple, cross-legged before a crackling bonfire. His discarded upper garment lay nearby, water droplets trickling from the sleeves and splattering softly onto the ground.
"Mother, come warm yourself by the fire!" Li Xuan grinned, eagerly beckoning her over.
But his smile quickly froze as he noticed that Chu Qingyi's previously soaked clothes were now completely dry, without a trace of moisture left.
Disappointment washed over him, and his mind couldn't help but linger on the memory of her drenched figure.
"Luckily, there was some dry firewood here. If we couldn't find any in this wilderness, with such a heavy rain outside, you'd probably catch a cold by tomorrow," Li Xuan said with concern, his eyes fixed on Chu Qingyi.
Chu Qingyi glanced at Li Xuan's bare upper body. Though his skin was youthful, it was taut over well-defined muscles, giving him a lean and robust appearance that exuded a strong masculine aura.
She averted her gaze almost immediately, showing no intention of joining him by the fire.
Just then, a fierce gust of wind howled through, rustling the already tattered window paper and carrying a chill laden with raindrops through the gaps. The cold swept over them, making both shiver uncontrollably.
Bitten by the cold from head to toe, Chu Qingyi had no choice but to move closer and sit cross-legged by the fire.
The roaring flames crackled and popped, their warm glow barely illuminating the small space. Both mother and son, trembling from the cold, instinctively leaned closer to the fire, seeking warmth for their rain-chilled bodies.
Outside, the storm raged with thunder and lightning, while inside, the fire cast a quiet, comforting warmth.
"Mother, you still haven't told me why we're going to the Mysterious Jade Pavilion," Li Xuan broke the silence.
"To retrieve medicine," Chu Qingyi replied softly, stretching her small hands toward the fire for warmth.
"Medicine? What kind? Healing pills for your injuries? But haven't your wounds already healed?" Li Xuan was puzzled. In his eyes, her injuries had merely been superficial, bloody wounds.
Those had long since healed—so why did she need medicine now?
"No need to ask. Rest early," Chu Qingyi said calmly, giving him a brief glance before rising and moving to the innermost part of the temple, as if to avoid further questions.
"Qing..." Li Xuan started to speak again, but seeing her retreating figure, he swallowed his words.
The firewood was nearly spent, the flames no longer as vigorous as before. Only a few flickering embers remained, stubbornly clinging to life, dutifully burning to their end to offer one last glimmer of light to the world.
He quickly gathered the scattered weeds on the ground and arranged them into a makeshift mat large enough for two people to lie side by side.
Though the conditions were far from ideal, it was still better than sleeping directly on the cold, hard floor.
"Mother, come rest here!" Li Xuan called to Chu Qingyi, who was meditating nearby with her eyes closed.
Though she didn't know what he was up to, when she saw the simple mat made of weeds, Chu Qingyi's expression softened slightly, and her gaze toward him grew a bit warmer.
"Hehe, I was afraid you'd catch a chill at night, so I made this especially for you. Come, lie down and try it!" he continued.
Chu Qingyi sat on the mat, but after a moment, her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Some of the protruding weeds poked uncomfortably against her tender skin, causing a mix of itchiness and pain. Still, it at least shielded her from the cold floor, allowing her to sleep more comfortably that night.
Just as Chu Qingyi was about to lie down, Li Xuan eagerly sat cross-legged beside her, clearly intending to lie down next to her.
"What are you doing?" Chu Qingyi sprang up like a startled bird, looking at him with a stern expression.
"Lying... lying down..." Li Xuan replied, confused, his body frozen in place.
"That won't do."
"Huh?"
"Go sleep somewhere else."
"..."
Li Xuan felt like crying but had no tears. Seeing the resolute look on Chu Qingyi's face, he had no choice but to gather his damp clothes and retreat to another corner of the temple.
His face full of grievance, he glanced unwillingly at Chu Qingyi lying on the mat, then curled up as tightly as he could to fend off the creeping cold.
The firewood burned out, and the last flicker of light vanished, plunging the temple into complete darkness.
Outside, the rain seemed to have eased slightly, but thunder still rumbled, and occasional flashes of lightning briefly illuminated the temple's interior.
Chu Qingyi saw Li Xuan shivering in the corner, his half-dry hair clinging limply to his forehead. His upper body was bare, and he could only wrap his arms tightly around himself for warmth.
A flicker of pity crossed her eyes, but she simply couldn't bring herself to share a bed with him, especially... in such a desolate, wild place.
Forget it, out of sight, out of mind. Once she fell asleep, she wouldn't have to see him.
Comforting herself with this thought, Chu Qingyi closed her beautiful eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.
After some time, the sound of rain outside gradually faded, leaving only the rhythmic dripping of water from the eaves onto the ground in front of the temple. The steady drops had already carved small puddles into the muddy earth below the steps.
The thick clouds had dispersed, and a bright moon hung in the night sky, casting a soft glow over the rain-soaked land.
Chu Qingyi lay peacefully on the mat, her long, curled eyelashes fluttering slightly as if she were lost in a pleasant dream.
Just then, a cool breeze swept through, and feeling the chill, she frowned slightly and instinctively pulled herself tighter.
In her half-asleep state, she suddenly sensed something amiss. Following her instincts, she turned to look behind her—only to find that Li Xuan, who had been curled up in the corner, had somehow ended up sleeping right beside her!
Fury and embarrassment surged within her. How dare he do this without her permission!
Just as she reached out to push him away, he murmured softly, "Mother... I'm so cold..."
Chu Qingyi's outstretched arm froze between them. In the faint moonlight, she could see Li Xuan's face slightly flushed, his half-open eyes glazed with confusion.
Even with some distance still between them, she could feel a wave of scorching heat pressing toward her.
"Are you running a fever?" The anger in Chu Qingyi's heart instantly dissipated as she cautiously asked.
"I don't know... Mother... Please let your son lean against you... I'm so cold..." Li Xuan murmured weakly, his voice low and feeble.
"..." Chu Qingyi remained silent.
The night's chill was so intense that even she had felt the cold earlier. How could a frail young man like him, lying drenched on the ground, not fall ill? It would be strange if he didn't...
At this point, a pang of guilt flashed through Chu Qingyi's heart, and she had no choice but to indulge him.
She silently turned her back to him.
But what she didn't see was that the exhaustion on Li Xuan's face vanished the moment she turned away. A sly glint flickered in his eyes, and a triumphant smile curled at the corners of his lips.
The cold was real, and the fever was real, but compared to the presence of Chu Qingyi before him, these were trivial matters. All the weakness he had displayed earlier was merely an act, aimed at winning her sympathy so she would allow him to get closer.
Now that his goal was finally achieved, Li Xuan pretended to be dazed and groggy, pressing his body tightly against hers. His arm naturally draped around her waist as he feebly moaned, "So cold... Why is it so cold..."
The person in his embrace instantly stiffened, not daring to move an inch, but fortunately, she did not resist his actions.
The rich scent of her natural fragrance enveloped his senses. It wasn't the artificial aroma of cosmetics worn by noblewomen but the unique, innate scent of a woman. Few women were born with such a natural fragrance, and most of those who had it carried strange or unpleasant odors. A woman like Chu Qingyi, whose scent was exceptionally rich and refreshing, was even rarer.
He greedily inhaled her fragrance, which was interwoven with the subtle scent of her skin, making him feel somewhat dizzy and enchanted.
His small hand rested on her soft waist, his bare arm pressed tightly against her delicate flesh through the thin layer of clothing, stirring ripples of emotion in both their hearts.
Especially for Li Xuan, whose inner fervor burned intensely. The thing between his legs twitched and hardened like an iron rod, firmly pressing against the crevice of Chu Qingyi's buttocks.
Chu Qingyi, held tightly by Li Xuan, felt a tumult of emotions. Though she was inwardly resistant to such intimate contact with him, the thought of his frail, sickly appearance made her resistance vanish entirely.
Now, a rigid, iron-like rod was firmly lodged in the seam of her buttocks. Its scorching heat penetrated her clothing, burning against her private area, leaving her both bashful and at a loss. An inexplicable, peculiar sensation welled up in her heart.
"Mother... your son is so cold... I really want to hold you..." As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xuan tightened his embrace around Chu Qingyi, bringing their bodies even closer together.
His hot breath sprayed into the sensitive hollow of her ear, sending a mischievous, tingling current coursing through her body. It made her tremble involuntarily, her entire being overcome with an indescribable, numbing sensation.
Feeling the scorching body heat of the man pressed against her back, Chu Qingyi's usually calm heart felt as if pebbles had been dropped into a still pond, sending ripples spreading across its surface.
In the faint moonlight, her cheeks bloomed like tender roses, with two delicate blushes spreading evenly across her refined face, captivating to the extreme.
The iron rod pressed between the cleft of her buttocks grew increasingly rigid. She could almost feel it gradually swelling, sending tingling sensations that crept from the crevice up to her tailbone, climbing along her spine until they reached her mind.
"Mmm..." A soft moan escaped her lips. She had never felt her delicate derriere so sensitive before—merely being pressed by the flesh rod sent waves of pleasure coursing through her.
"Mother... your son is so uncomfortable..." Sensing the beauty in his arms growing increasingly pliant, Li Xuan secretly smiled to himself. Whispering softly by her ear, he gently nudged with his hardened flesh.
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